Tue Tue: Part 1

Описание: Learn the lyrics to Tue Tue. We’ll take it slow this time. After you’ve mastered the lyrics at this pace, watch Tue Tue: Part 2 to speed them up to the performance tempo.

Not everyone agrees about where this West African song was first sung. The most common belief is that it comes from Ghana...but there’s some evidence that says it may be originally from Guinea. There is also some disagreement about whether this song is a folk song or a children’s song, which do not mean the same thing.

There is also a question about what language was first used for the lyrics- and even what the lyrics mean! The language most commonly associated with the song is Ashanti but…native Ashanti speakers (of the Ewe tribe in Ghana) have translated this song in a variety of ways, none of which are even close to the same meaning. According to various sources, the song is about:
a plentiful harvest/harvesting food
a child selling food to an adult
a child apologizing for knocking a man over
nonsense syllables

This level of uncertainty about language, lyrics, and origin is ok- even expected when looking at the people who live in the area of West Africa where the countries of Ghana and Guinea are. Both of these countries have INCREDIBLY diverse populations, with people belonging to many different cultures, speaking over 80 different languages, and travel by boat being very easy.

With all this in mind, it is not surprising that a single song may have found a wide variety of representations and meanings. It is also not surprising that THIS song has endured so many adaptations. It is a really fun song to sing! In fact, it is a fantastic representation of how multicultural a song can become.

Tue Tue Lyrics:

Tue tue barima tue tue

Tue tue barima tue tue

Abrofa ba ama dowa dowa tue tue

Abrofa ba ama dowa dow tue tue

Barima tue tue

Barima tue tue

Learn more about this Learning Video Series, the Songbirds music program, and Rogue World Music at www.rogueworldmusic.org!